We performed this study to assess the clinical spectrum and evaluate the outcome of patients with HELLP syndrome compared with those with severe pre-eclampsia but without HELLP managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Serum albumin level was measured as a prognostic factor.

A prospective clinical and laboratory study that was conducted over an 18-month period where 67 pre-eclamptic postpartum women admitted to the ICU were studied, and were divided into two groups. Group I (21 patients with HELLP syndrome) and group II (46 patients with severe pre-eclampsia only) were compared and contrasted concerning medical and laboratory data.

Pre-ecalmptic patients with HELLP syndrome are amenable for serious medical complications and higher mortality rate than patients with severe pre-eclampsia but no HELLP syndrome. Serum albumin is lower in patients with HELLP syndrome and correlates well with the development of MOF and mortality so it can be used as a useful predictor of both morbidity and mortality in critically ill pre-ecalmptic patients.